I was born in South Africa and was educated there. I schooled at Diocesan college Rondebosch ( Bishops) and did undergraduate training at the University of Stellenbosch. Post graduate training in Urology was commenced King Edward Hospital in Durban and completed at Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town.

Whilst training in the South African medical system the experience was considerable and I was privileged to develop the surgical skills and experience typical of a Third World environment.

The same can be said for my subsequent two years National Service period of which six months were spent in action in the war in Angola and 18 months in Mission Hospitals in remote areas in Natal, South Africa.

I dealt with considerable renal pathology which formed the basis of my subsequent interest in renal surgery. The case mix was varied including extensive blunt and penetrating (sharp and gun shot) trauma, cancer and congenital abnormalities. I also dealt with hundreds of cases of Bilharzia and TB which enhanced my expertise in reconstructive surgery considerably.

After qualifying in 1996 in South Africa as an Urologist I came to the United Kingdom where I did a year as a Registrar at St. George's Hospital, Charing Cross Hospital and the Institute of Urology. I spent a subsequent six months as a Locum Consultant at Whipps Cross and subsequently a further six months as a Locum Consultant at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge.

I commenced my full time Consultant post at St George's Hospital in July 1999.I soon began developing a tertiary referral practise for Renal conditions, particularly cancer. I specialised particularly in partial nephrectomy (tumour removal with sparing of normal kidney.) and subsequently laparoscopy.

In 2000 I commenced training in laparoscopy ( keyhole surgery) for renal conditions . This took me on fellowships to Cleveland clinic, Ohio; and Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami.

In 2003 I trained in laparoscopy for prostate cancer in a fellowship under the auspices of Prof Stolzenburg in Leipzig who is a particular world expert in the field. I have performed laparoscopic radical prostatectomy routinely since then.

In 2004 I introduced laparoscopic renal cryotherapy to the UK by performing the first cases at the Cromwell hospital. I have since then developed this further at St George's hospital and have one of the biggest personal series in the UK.

In 2005 I applied my laparoscopic skills to the field of Robotic surgery. I had done a fellowship a few years earlier at the world renowned Robotic centre at the Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit .This acted as a platform to be mentored under their auspices and together with other colleagues we developed the robotic unit at the London Clinic.

In the context of surgery for early stage prostate cancer. I began with Open surgical experience; commenced Laparoscopic prostatectomy in 2003 and finally moved on to the Robotic approach in 2005 .It is not very common for an individual to have experienced that transition and I feel it has equipped me very well technically and also in my understanding of the nuances between the approaches. I have been one of the early adopters in using the robotic technique for renal surgery and have specialized particularly in managing small kidney tumours by partial nephrectomy. I routinely perform total kidney removal (nephrectomy) as well as other renal surgery either laparoscopically or robotically where appropriate.

I have built up a leading renal cancer unit at St George's hospital and have had numerous presentations of outcomes at International conferences. I have also been a regular faculty member and speaker at such meetings for both Renal and Prostate cancer.

The effectiveness of the Treatment of Sexually Transmitted Diseases by the Local Authorities of the Western Cape Anderson CJ .1983. South African Medical Journal, 64(15): 586-588, 1983 October 1. (Received 1983 Medical Association of South Africa year medal for "Best publication in SAMJ by a medical student").

Issa R, Ghani K, Mukhtar S, Alnajjar H, Perry MJA and Anderson C. Complexities of the learning curve in robotic prostatectomy: how intuitive is intuitive? Inaugural International Prostate Cancer Symposium, at Weill Cornell Medical College and the New York Academy of Medicine on May 10-12, 2011

Invited faculty member and speaker at Inaugural International Prostate Cancer Symposium, at Weill Cornell Medical College and the New York Academy of Medicine on May 10-12, 2011. Lectures : "Extraperitoneal Robotic Prostatectomy" ;and "Transition from Laparoscopy to Robotics".